Friday, April 27, 2012

CFRU and the "Seems Like Old Times" show with Doug Blackwood will air the Shortwave America Dick Clark Memorial show from 2PM to 3PM on May 2nd, 2012. Listen HERE on that day if you live outside of this reception area. Mark that date and time!

Over the summer sometime, Shortwave America will be releasing a special communications humor show focused on the 1982 radio hit, "Jenny" (867-5309) by Tommy Tutone. You may ask what is so original about that, right?

Well, after doing a ton of research...it turns out that this number is actually operational and that the song has been making somewhat of a comeback. In true Shortwave America style, this episode will be well planned, well written, and well-executed.

According to Snopes: This fabled telephone number still drives telecom companies and their customers crazy to this very day. This same source reports rumors of a band member who had a girlfriend named Jenny who had this phone number, and when the break - up happened, the songwriter created this work as a form of harassment and the girlfriend took him to court resulting in an order of protection and the song being pulled by the courts for a short time.

Phone Number: 776-2323Year ruined: 2003How it was ruined: Bruce Nolan, the main character of the movie
Bruce Almighty, uses this number repeatedly to call God. Fittingly, the
number connected some callers to a Reverand based in Atlanta, Georgia.
When he was interviewed about receiving so many phone calls, he
replied, "If they ask us if God is there, we say, 'Yes.' He's with us
all the time.'"

Phone Number: 281 330-8004Year ruined: 2005How it was ruined: This was the actual cell phone number of the rapper and one hit wonder, Mike Jones. WARNING: link is explicit and toolish.

Phone Number: OXford-0614 (Thanks g1smd)Year ruined: 1932How it was ruined: Actor Stan Laurel used a phone number in the movie Helpmates. Unfortunately for him, it was his actual number.

Phone Number: Unknown #Year ruined: 1997How it was ruined: The number displayed on the construction company in the movie Good Will Hunting. The phone number was the actual number of Matt Damon's previous employer.

Phone Number: 634-5789Year Ruined: ca. 1967How Ruined: The number was the title to Wilson Pickett's classic soul hit, in which he implored his babe to give him a call:
"If you need a little lovin'
Call on me....(alright)
If you want a little huggin'
Call on me baby....(mmhmm)
Oh I'll be right here at home.
All you gotta do is
Pick up the telephone, and dial now
6-3-4-5-7-8-9 (that's my number!)
6-3-4-5-7-8-9"
[etc]Hear it on YouTube

Beechwood 4-5789 - Marvelletes (1962) and The Carpenters (1981)
Pennsylvania
6-5000 - Glenn Miller - This one worked out, as this it is the phone
number for the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City.

Way back in
the day the dialing prefixes used exchange names as they were told to
the operator who then connected you. Later this was changed as the
conversion to all number direct dialing was implemented. The caller
would dial the number corresponding to the first two letters in the
exchange (Beechwood 4-5789 would become 234-5789)

Phone Number: 439-0116Year Ruined: 1992How it was ruined: The former phone number of Sublime lead singer, Brad Nowell, mentioned in their song "Don't Push" :
Laughter, its free
Anytime just call me
439-0116

This video is a medical education spoof of the original song, and translates to phone number 275-2640 when you match the letters in the parody chorus to the phone pad.(BP, L, and BMI) add a zero at the end when the letters run out for mathematical purposes. I guess we can add this number to the list of ruined numbers now!

Here's the plan: I'll call 867-5309 in different area codes, introduce myself as someone from the Senseless Radio Surveys Corporation, advise them the call is being recorded for quality journalistic purposes, and ask them silly / senseless questions revolving around the number and the song, see how long they stay on the line. Already tried it at one number and it worked like a charm! The individual stayed on the line confused as you can imagine!

Dick Clark was someone who did more than become an international broadcast icon, he presented opportunities to music artists who would have otherwise never been known. In the last article here announcing the passing of this history making man, it was mentioned that there would be a special memorial tribute show. That show is now officially released.

1. English with the capability to translate from Chinese.
2. Accent: Australian, British, South African, American
3. Experience in front of a microphone.
4. Must be located in Taipei.
5. Must be able to work 2 hours a week.
6. Have knowledge of news in the Asia/Pacific.
7. Must have knowledge in international broadcasting.

PCJ Radio started in 2009, and has gained an excellent public image, airing only the best of programming over the course of the decades of its existence. As we expand our programming and hire a new news presenter, we look forward to continuing our tradition of providing only the best talent and programming for your enjoyment. Focusing on the international radio audience with high quality content is what we do best! Here is more about PCJ's past history going all the way back to the days of the Phillips name.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

“Entertainment Icon Dick Clark
passed away this morning (Wednesday) at the age of 82 following a
massive heart attack it was announced by his family,” his publicist said
in a statement to CBS2. “Clark, 82, had entered St. John’s Hospital in
Santa Monica last night for an outpatient procedure. Attempts to
resuscitate were unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife Kari and his
three children, RAC, Duane and Cindy.”

Affectionately known as “America’s oldest teenager” for his youthful
looks and enthusiastic attitude, he brought music to millions of
teenagers in the 1950s without alienating their parents. - CBS News, Los Angeles, via Dick Clark publicist.

The entire team here at Shortwave America and PCJ Radio International would like to take this moment to remember Mr. Clark as a true international broadcast legend, and a broadcast professional's professional. Dick had a love from his heart for communications and for the audience he reached all over the globe. The spirit Mr. Clark brought with him into his work was genuine. Through-out his career you couldn't help but see the enthusiasm he possessed.

If ever a golden voice kept an audience captive, if ever a golden voice with real personality meant anything to the world, it was that of Dick Clark. Dick Clark has created so many valuable memories for his audience to treasure! As Shortwave America pays tribute to Mr. Clark, it is the consistent family friendly appeal Clark had and never lost that stands out the most.

Mr. Clark was an intelligent, thoughtful, kind, warm, creative, animated, and valuable person. At this time, no funeral services have been publicly announced. Shortwave America and PCJ Radio International wish to pass on our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Dick Clark. We wish them healing, peace, and the best of support from all of those close to them.

Any public word about services or official wishes from the family for donations to organizations close to Mr. Clark and his family will be announced in this news release as an update.